Local Color

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In Chapter 15 of FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE, Vita Heck gets the dress and shoes via FedEx that she wants to use to seduce science genius nerd Frankie Stein. Meanwhile, local cop Chet Beverage asks CDC agent Beck Driver if they can be 'partners.' ...


INT. VITA’S HOUSE - FOYER - NIGHT
Vita comes in the front door.
Closes it. Looks tired. Beat.

PEGGY (O.C.)
Is that you, honey?

VITA
Hi, Mom --

Peggy appears as if by magic.

PEGGY
How was Math Club?

VITA
A fraction of what it used to be --

PEGGY
Oh, that’s FUNNY --
(smiles)
Your FedEx package arrived.

VITA
Oh, wow. Where did --

PEGGY
I put it on your bed.
What did you get?
(beat)
If you don’t mind my asking.

VITA
Just some -- stuff.

PEGGY
Oh. I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean to pry.

VITA
(sighs)
A -- dress. And some -- shoes.

PEGGY
A DRESS? I used to have to FIGHT
to get you into a dress for church
when you were a little --
(off her stare, excited)
It’s Frankie Stein, isn’t it.
He finally asked you out --
(off her stare)
Oh, I’m sorry.
I’m butting in again.
You go on upstairs.
Dinner’ll be ready in
about half-an-hour. Okay?

PUSH IN ON Vita’s face.
Beyond humiliated.

VITA
Sure thing, mom. Can’t wait --

EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Beck walks briskly to her rental car.
Presses the key chain auto-lock, THWIP.
Chet appears out of nowhere.

CHET
Ms. Driver -- ?

BECK
Jesus fucking CHRIST.
You scared the shit out of me.

CHET
Sorry about that.

BECK
What do you want?
I’m tired and I just want
to go back to my bland,
suburban hotel room,
get drunk and watch some porn.

Chet stares. Wow.
A real ‘big city’ girl.

CHET
I just wanted to --
offer my services.

BECK
Sorry, doll -- hate to burst
your drool-bubble,
but you’re not my type.

CHET
Gosh, no -- I didn’t mean THAT.
I meant with the investigation.

BECK
Thanks, but no thanks.
I work alone.
(off his look)
No hard feelings, okay, champ?
I’m sure you need to go
patrol the diner, the pool hall --
maybe check on the sock hop.

CHET
Listen, lady -- I don’t know
what’s got your dander up,
but I was just trying to be helpful.
(beat)
Small town folks won’t take too kindly
to a big-city government agent
snooping around askin’ a lot questions --
(off her look)
Unless they have a
little local color with ‘em.

Pause.

BECK
Okay. Tell you what.
Meet me here tomorrow
morning at nine-sharp.
But let ME do all the talking,
capiche?

CHET
(beaming)
Sure thing. Thanks.
You won’t regret it.
You’ll see.
We’ll make a great team.

BECK
(rolls her eyes)
I have no doubt about that --

CHET
You got it. My pleasure.

BECK
Oh. One more thing.

CHET
Sure --

BECK
What the fuck’s a ‘dander?’